Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Energy and Trade Intensive Industries

Tuesday 4 July 2023 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Wholesale energy prices have fallen since the peak of the energy crisis.
  • Businesses, including the hospitality sector, received 7.4 billion in support through the energy bill relief scheme.
  • The Minister thanked the hon. Lady for information about a solar farm and will take the question away to find more details.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Heather Wheeler Con
Energy Business & Trade
Context

The question follows a government announcement about the adequacy of support for energy-intensive businesses facing high costs. The MP seeks to assess whether the current measures are sufficient.

Question

What assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of additional support for energy and trade intensive industries?

Answer from Amanda Solloway

Wholesale energy prices have fallen significantly since the peak of the energy crisis, so the energy bill discount scheme strikes a balance between providing support and certainty to business and limiting the impact on public finances.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The question asked for an assessment of adequacy but received only a general statement about wholesale prices and the discount scheme's purpose.

How: General Statements

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Heather Wheeler Con
Energy Business & Trade
Context

The MP raises concerns about businesses in the hospitality sector that have signed long-term contracts during a period of rising prices but now face falling world prices.

Question

Can she give more information on how the Government are working to help wedding venues and hospitality in general with extreme costs for electricity and gas, particularly where businesses have signed long-term contracts in the face of falling world prices?

Answer from Amanda Solloway

Businesses, including the hospitality sector, have already benefited from the energy bill relief scheme, which ended on 31 March and provided £7.4 billion of support. We are mindful of the fixed-term contracts, which are a supplier issue, and we are constantly engaging with stakeholders and suppliers on that.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address how government is currently assisting businesses facing long-term contract issues due to falling prices.

How: Supplier Issue

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q3 Catherine McKinnell Lab Newcastle upon Tyne North
Climate Brexit
Context

The MP highlights that the first phase of a new solar farm was partially funded by the regional development fund, which is no longer available post-Brexit. The next three phases are crucial to meet net zero targets.

Question

Last week I attended the opening of the first phase of a new solar farm at Newcastle airport. It was 50% funded by the regional development fund, which post Brexit we no longer have access to. The further three phases are vital to ensure that the airport meets its net zero target and the Government meet their solar target, so what are the Government doing to ensure that those further three phases will be supported in some way by the Government?

Answer from Amanda Solloway

I thank the hon. Lady for that information. With your permission, Mr Speaker, I will take that question away and find out more details.

Not addressed: The MP asked for specific support measures but received a promise to follow up instead of substantive answers or plans.

How: Will Take The Matter Away

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q4 Kerry McCarthy Lab Bristol East
Energy Business & Trade
Context

The director general of UK Steel criticizes government for not supporting the steel industry adequately, highlighting a four-year delay in disbursing funds from the promised Green Steel Fund.

Question

The director general of UK Steel said this week: “There are huge question marks over if government really wants to sustain steel, the backbone of British manufacturing, or just leave it to shrink and rely on other nations' supply.” He is right to say that. It is four years since the Government promised the green steel fund, but not a penny has been paid. Why are the Government failing our steel communities so comprehensively?

Answer from Amanda Solloway

That is absolutely not true; we are legislating for that at the moment. It is incredibly important to the Government that we combat that and support the energy and trade-intensive industries.

Not addressed: The questioner asked about delays in funding, but the response denied the claim without addressing any specific commitments or actions taken.

How: Denial

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q5 Kerry McCarthy Lab Bristol East
Climate
Context

The Committee on Climate Change criticized the government for lacking a policy to meet carbon targets despite high ambitions. Former Prime Minister Theresa May also expressed concern about falling behind in green jobs and investment.

Question

The Committee on Climate Change said last week that “the Government has high ambitions for decarbonisation but no policy to deliver it”. We have been slow to react to the US Inflation Reduction Act and to the EU's proposed green deal industrial plan. The right hon. Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May), who, for the benefit of the Minister, is not from the Labour Benches, said: “Where the UK once led, we are now falling behind.” When will Ministers snap out of their appalling complacency and come up with the strategy and timeline that we need to support the UK in the global race for green jobs and investment?

Answer from Amanda Solloway

We have met all our carbon targets and will continue to do so. The Government have made the commitment to continue hitting and progressing on those targets.

Not addressed: The MP asked for a specific strategy and timeline but received only broad statements about meeting current targets without any new commitments or details.

How: Broad Statements

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email